A high-gloss lacquer is a popular finish for wood furniture — it is modern, sleek, and often easy to clean. However, if you don’t know how to clean the glossy lacquer finish, so it doesn’t get damaged in the process, some of your cleaning methods could be counterproductive.
If you’re wondering how to clean glossy lacquer furniture like LESSO Lacquer Kitchen Cabinet without damaging it or making things worse, read on for several tips.
1- Clean glossy lacquer furniture
- Cleaning glossy lacquer furniture is not difficult, but it’s important to use the right materials and techniques.
- Use a soft, dry cloth. Never use abrasive scrubbers or steel wool on your glossy lacquer furniture.
- Blot stains immediately with an absorbent white cloth or paper towel, then clean them off with mild soap and water once they’re dry. Avoid using anything that could scratch or dull the finish of your furniture—water can leave behind mineral deposits, which will dull its shine over time!
2- Test on Hidden Area
Be sure to test the cleaning solution on a hidden furniture area first. Before using any cleaning solution, test it on a small, inconspicuous area of your furniture and wait at least 24 hours before moving forward with cleaning.
This will allow enough time for any damage that may occur due to overspray or spillage to be repaired easily. If, after applying the cleaner and allowing it time to set in (about 30 minutes), you notice any staining, discoloration, or other damage, stop immediately and clean up as best as possible before proceeding with another area.
3- Use a Soft, Dry Cloth
- Use a soft, dry cloth.
- Use a microfiber cloth.
- Use a chamois cloth. While at it, you can also use the back of your hand to wipe dirt off your furniture if necessary.
- Use cotton cloth (like an old t-shirt).
- Don’t use abrasive scrubbers.
If you have shiny furniture, don’t use a scrub brush. Scrubbing will damage the finish. Instead, use a soft cloth that’s clean and dry or dampened with just enough water to dampen the surface of the wood. If stubborn dirt or grime is on your lacquer furniture, try using dish soap or vinegar on its own before putting in elbow grease.
4- Use Homemade or Commercial Lacquer Polish
Lacquer is a very tough wood finish, but it can get dusty and dry out over time. This can be repaired by using a commercial lacquer polish or making your own.
To make your own, simply mix three parts turpentine with one part wax and melt together in an oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Once cooled, apply the mixture with a cloth to the treated surface and wipe off any excess using another cloth.
A helpful tip is to apply lacquer polish every six months to keep the finish looking new for longer! If a piece of furniture has been poorly maintained over time, this may need more frequent applications of lacquer polish than someone who regularly polishes their furniture.
5- Don’t Over-Polish the Finish
- Don’t polish too much. It’s tempting to use a lot of elbow grease when cleaning, but if you go overboard, you can dull the finish and make things worse.
- Don’t use clothes. When polishing lacquer furniture pieces, avoid using any sort of cloth that has been used on another surface. Even if it was just once before being washed, there’s still enough dirt embedded in the fabric to scratch your piece once it gets transferred onto your couch or table.
- No abrasives allowed! Another thing we already touched upon is that all those powders and pastes are made up of sandpaper anyway! So why would you want to add more sandpaper into an already delicate situation?
6- Additional Tips
Stage 1: Remove dust and dirt with a soft, dry cloth.
Stage 2: If there are stubborn marks on your furniture that don’t come off with a simple wipe-down, try using homemade or commercial lacquer polish to remove them.
Stage 3: Never use abrasive scrubbers (i.e., steel wool) on the finish of glossy lacquer furniture, and only use gentle polishes when cleaning it.
Stage 4: Over-polishing will damage the finish—so don’t do it!
Conclusion
Most people don’t know how to clean lacquer furniture, so they end up ruining their beautiful furniture. These tips should help you clean your lacquer furniture without ruining it.